Post by QPR Report on Jan 16, 2010 17:07:45 GMT
Bump/Edit - 13 Year Ago Today - First game in charge for Mick Harford (2nd stint) coming in for Paul Hart - 2-2 at Blackpool
QPR Official Site
Mick Harford saw his men come from behind twice to earn a creditable draw against Ian Holloway's Blackpool at Bloomfield Road this afternoon.
In his first match in charge following Paul Hart's decision to leave the Club on Thursday night, Harford's R's got off to the worst possible start when Charlie Adam fired the hosts in front after just nine minutes.
Rangers drew level just after the hour with an Adel Taarabt penalty after Hogan Ephraim's shot hit the hand of Neal Ardley in the area.
Pool restored the lead through Gary Taylor-Fletcher's clever flick on 76 minutes but Matt Connolly ensured QPR got a share of the spoils with a goal fit to grace any stadium in the world.
The R's defender smashed a sensational volley beyond home goalkeeper Paul Rachubka from 25 yards to finally open his QPR account.
Harford made no fewer than four changes to the side that lost mid-week against Sheffield United. Carl Ikeme, Connolly, Fitz Hall and Taarabt all came in, with Radek Cerny, Gary Borrowdale, Peter Ramage and Jay Simpson dropping to the bench.
Goalkeeper Ikeme was handed his R's debut following his arrival on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, allowing Cerny to take a break after playing with an ankle injury in recent weeks.
With Ikeme between the posts, Hall took up the right-back berth with Connolly at left-back. Damion Stewart and Kaspars Gorkss continued in the centre while Mikele Leigertwood partnered Alejandro Faurlin in the heart of the midfield.
Akos Buzsaky took up his now familiar position on the left wing with Wayne Routledge on the right side. Patrick Agyemang began in attack with Taarabt playing just off him.
After a tentative opening, the first real opportunity arrived on six minutes when Taarabt picked up possession on the edge of the Blackpool box but his drive was well blocked by Tangerines defender Alex Baptiste.
Moments later Barry Bannan shot from similar distance at the other end but his attempted curler was easily gathered by Ikeme.
But on nine minutes the R's keeper could do nothing to stop Charlie Adam giving the hosts the lead. After fine work by Brett Omerod down the left, he picked out Adam unmarked at the far post with a fantastic cross, and the latter slammed home from close range.
As the R's tried to get back on level terms, Taraarabt almost freed Agyemang but his pass was slightly over-hit and Blackpool keeper Paul Rachubka was able to cut out the danger.
On 15 minutes some fantastic passing football involving Buzsaky, Taarabt and Routledge cut the Tangerines defence open, but Routledge was adjudged to be offside as his effort drifted inches wide of the far post from a tight angle.
Blackpool were certainly up for this match and on 23 minutes Keith Southern fired a 20-yard drive inches wide of Ikeme's goal, which had the R's stopper diving at full length to his left.
The R's were almost level on 34 minutes when Taarabt picked up the ball on the left following a strong tackle by Stewart on Gary Taylor-Fletcher.
The Moroccan weaved his magic on Neal Eardley with a series of step-overs before shooting at goal but his effort took a deflection and went out for a throw-in on the far side. Such was the quality, Taarabt's skills received warm applause from the home fans.
Seconds later he was at it again, as he left three players in his wake before sliding a through-ball for Agyemang, who pulled it back but Routledge was unable to get on the end of it as the ball drifted across the six-yard box.
At the other end, Taylor-Fletcher was inches away from connecting with Eardley's inviting cross but, fortunately for the R's, the Pool striker was unable to get that decisive touch late in the first half.
Harford made one change at the break, bringing Hogan Ephraim on for Buzsaky.
And just four minutes into the second half Taarabt went as close as you possibly can go without scoring. After typical trickery, he worked spme space on the edge of area before his low shot hit the inside of the post, rolled across the goal-line and hit the OTHER post before being hacked to safety!
On 54 minutes, the R's did draw level courtesy of a Taarabt penalty - which was typically stylish! The spot-kick was won when Routledge played the ball back for Ephraim to shoot from distance, and his effort was adjudged to have hit the hand of Ardley by referee Mr Kettle.
With Buzsaky no longer on the pitch, Taarabt took responsibility from 12 yards - and casually dinked the ball in as Rachubka dived to his right.
The 459 R's fans who had made the long trip north were ecstatic and in full voice, urging Harford's men on.
It certainly made for an exciting match as both sides refused to settle for the draw, instead pushing for all three points.
Ephraim seemed to be at the centre of everything the R's did in the final third, and in the 66th minute he shot just wide following a great cross-field ball by Routledge.
But it was Blackpool who grabbed their second of the game on 76 minutes when Southern's drive from outside the area was flicked beyond the helpless Ikeme by Taylor-Fletcher from four yards after more good work initially in the move by Ormerod.
Harford made two substitutions in quick succession as he looked to get Rangers back into this game with Peter Ramage and Antonio German replacing Hall and Faurlin respectively.
Taarabt was moved into the centre of the park, with German joining Agyemang in attack.
And it was an absolutely sensational strike by Connolly seconds later which drew gasps from the Bloomfield Road crowd as the R's were level once again.
With German tussling for possession 18 yards out, the ball came out towards Connolly, who didn't let the ball bounce as he teed himself up for a stunning volley from 25 yards which looped over Rachubka.
Once again, Blackpool fans were a real credit as they acknowledged the unbelievable effort from the QPR left back with applause.
With just six minutes remaining, both sides continued to battle for all three points, but in the end, had to settle for the draw.
Harford will take great pride from this performance as his men came from behind twice against a spirited and determined Blackpool side.
Blackpool: Rachubka, Crainey, Southern, Eardley, Evatt, Ormerod, Vaughan (Euell, 89), Taylor-Fletcher (Nardiello, 89), Baptiste, Adam, Bannan (Burgess, 62)
Subs: Martin, Euell, Gilks, Nardiello, Edwards, Butler.
Bookings: Adam (39)
Goals: Adam (9), Taylor-Fletcher (76)
QPR: Ikeme, Stewart, Hall (Ramage, 77), Leigertwood, Routledge, Buzsaky (Ephraim, 46), Agyemang, Gorkss, Connolly, Faurlin (German 80), Taarabt.
Subs: Cerny, Balanta, Simpson, Borrowdale.
Bookings: Routledge (90)
Goals: Taarabt (pen, 64), Connolly (84)
Referee: Mr T Kettle
Attendance: 7,600 (Away: 459)
www.qpr.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10373~48127,00.html
QPR Official Site
HARFORD PRAISES R'S
Posted on: Sat 16 Jan 2010
Mick Harford took great pride from the performance of his players in their 2-2 draw with Blackpool at Bloomfield Road this afternoon.
An Adel Taarabt penalty and a sensational Matt Connolly volley saw the R's come back from behind twice to grab a share of the spoils.
"The performance of the players was excellent, particularly in the second half," Harford told www.qpr.co.uk
Taarabt capped a fine individual performance with a goal from the penalty spot just after the hour mark. The Moroccan scored with typical style, coolly chipping the ball into the net.
"Adel was outstanding," Harford added. "He is a very talented player. I didn't know what he was going to do with the penalty but credit to him for having the confidence to score it in the way that he did."
But it was Connolly who stole the plaudits with his first goal in QPR colours.
"It was a wonderful strike," Harford added. "I saw it - but I have to admit I didn't see that coming from him!"
Harford also reserved special praise for the R's fans who made the long trip north. "They are a brilliant set of supporters.
"When I saw where they were located in the stadium I was hoping it wouldn't rain! Their backing is so important ."
Hogan Ephraim came on at half-time and was hugely influential in QPR's improved second-half display.
"I know Hogan well from my time at Colchester, as well as my previous spell here, and I know what he is capable of. He gave us an extra edge, and I'm happy with what he did for us out there.
"Now we need to build on this and let our confidence grow."
www.qpr.co.uk/page/TheGaffer/0,,10373~1934784,00.html
Blackpool Official Site
A stunning 84th minute strike from Matthew Connolly meant that Blackpool were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw against Queens Park Rangers at Bloomfield Road.
Goals from Charlie Adam and Gary Taylor-Fletcher either side of an Adel Taraabt penalty looked to have sealed all three points for the Seasiders - but Connolly's effort with six minutes remaining rescued a point for the visitors.
Ian Holloway made three changes to the starting line-up for the game against the R's as Ian Evatt, Stephen Crainey and Barry Bannan all returned at the expenses of Andy Butler, Joe Martin and Ben Burgess.
It was Barry Bannan who was the first player to try for goal after six minutes but his effort landed straight in the arms of QPR goalkeeper Carl Ikeme. It was a positive start from the Seasiders, with Brett Ormerod coming within inches of heading Blackpool into the lead a minute later.
The early dominance finally told however after nine minutes when CHARLIE ADAM ghosted in unmarked at the back post to finish off a great ball by Brett Ormerod (9).
BLACKPOOL 1 QPR 0
The Seasiders were now rampant and pushed forward for a second in quick succession, Gary Taylor-Fletcher's ball teeing up Brett Ormerod who fired narrowly wide.
The tempo of the game dropped somewhat for the next 15 minutes or so as chances were few and far between. The visitors started to threaten a little but were thwarted on a number of occasions by the linesman's flag.
QPR's best chance fell to Adel Taraabt on the half-hour mark, twisting and turning like a slalom skier, he unleashed a ferocious drive straight across goal. The football from Mick Harford's side was good in spells but lacked any end product.
Gary Taylor-Fletcher came so close to nodding Pool a second prior to half-time but he just couldn't reach Neal Eardley's dipping cross.
HALF-TIME SCORE - BLACKPOOL 1 QPR 0
The visitors opted for a change to start the second-half and introduced Hogan Ephraim for Akos Buzsaky.
At heart in mouth moment shortly followed the change for QPR as that man again Adel Taraabt performed a couple of step-overs before seeing his strike hit both posts and come back out. Charlie Adam then blasted a strike just past the post at the other end.
QPR were then given an opportunity to level matters when Hogan Ephraim's strike was adjudged to have struck the hand of Neal Eardley in the area. Adel Taraabt stepped up and cheekily chipped the ball into the top right corner (55).
BLACKPOOL 1 QPR 1
Ian Holloway's response to the equaliser was to throw Ben Burgess on in place of Barry Bannan on the hour. The change meant that Brett Ormerod would now operate on the right of an attacking three and Gary Taylor-Fletcher the left.
Some great defending from Alex Baptiste prevented Patrick Agyemang from putting the visitors ahead three minutes later, the defender just managed to knock the ball away and over the crossbar.
The game was now becoming stretched as both sides pressed for a winner - and it was the Seasiders who looked to have got it. A clearing defensive header from Kaspars Gorkss fell to Keith Southern on the edge of the area and the midfielder's effort got the deftest of touches from GARY TAYLOR-FLETCHER to restore Blackpool's lead (78).
BLACKPOOL 2 QPR 1
The goal looked odds-on to be the winner for the Seasiders but six minutes later a dipping effort from the edge of the area by Matthew Connolly brought QPR back on level terms.
BLACKPOOL 2 QPR 2
Ian Holloway once again opted to change things after the second equaliser and threw on Jason Euell and Daniel Nardiello in the places of David Vaughan and Gary Taylor-Fletcher.
A late surge couldn't find a winner though as the Seasiders were forced to settle for a point.
FINAL SCORE - BLACKPOOL 2 QPR 2
Attendance: 7,600 (459 away)
www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10432~48127,00.html
Read more: qprreport.proboards.com/thread/9750/flashback-years-today-mick-harfords#ixzz6BDLpZR5i
QPR Official Site
Mick Harford saw his men come from behind twice to earn a creditable draw against Ian Holloway's Blackpool at Bloomfield Road this afternoon.
In his first match in charge following Paul Hart's decision to leave the Club on Thursday night, Harford's R's got off to the worst possible start when Charlie Adam fired the hosts in front after just nine minutes.
Rangers drew level just after the hour with an Adel Taarabt penalty after Hogan Ephraim's shot hit the hand of Neal Ardley in the area.
Pool restored the lead through Gary Taylor-Fletcher's clever flick on 76 minutes but Matt Connolly ensured QPR got a share of the spoils with a goal fit to grace any stadium in the world.
The R's defender smashed a sensational volley beyond home goalkeeper Paul Rachubka from 25 yards to finally open his QPR account.
Harford made no fewer than four changes to the side that lost mid-week against Sheffield United. Carl Ikeme, Connolly, Fitz Hall and Taarabt all came in, with Radek Cerny, Gary Borrowdale, Peter Ramage and Jay Simpson dropping to the bench.
Goalkeeper Ikeme was handed his R's debut following his arrival on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, allowing Cerny to take a break after playing with an ankle injury in recent weeks.
With Ikeme between the posts, Hall took up the right-back berth with Connolly at left-back. Damion Stewart and Kaspars Gorkss continued in the centre while Mikele Leigertwood partnered Alejandro Faurlin in the heart of the midfield.
Akos Buzsaky took up his now familiar position on the left wing with Wayne Routledge on the right side. Patrick Agyemang began in attack with Taarabt playing just off him.
After a tentative opening, the first real opportunity arrived on six minutes when Taarabt picked up possession on the edge of the Blackpool box but his drive was well blocked by Tangerines defender Alex Baptiste.
Moments later Barry Bannan shot from similar distance at the other end but his attempted curler was easily gathered by Ikeme.
But on nine minutes the R's keeper could do nothing to stop Charlie Adam giving the hosts the lead. After fine work by Brett Omerod down the left, he picked out Adam unmarked at the far post with a fantastic cross, and the latter slammed home from close range.
As the R's tried to get back on level terms, Taraarabt almost freed Agyemang but his pass was slightly over-hit and Blackpool keeper Paul Rachubka was able to cut out the danger.
On 15 minutes some fantastic passing football involving Buzsaky, Taarabt and Routledge cut the Tangerines defence open, but Routledge was adjudged to be offside as his effort drifted inches wide of the far post from a tight angle.
Blackpool were certainly up for this match and on 23 minutes Keith Southern fired a 20-yard drive inches wide of Ikeme's goal, which had the R's stopper diving at full length to his left.
The R's were almost level on 34 minutes when Taarabt picked up the ball on the left following a strong tackle by Stewart on Gary Taylor-Fletcher.
The Moroccan weaved his magic on Neal Eardley with a series of step-overs before shooting at goal but his effort took a deflection and went out for a throw-in on the far side. Such was the quality, Taarabt's skills received warm applause from the home fans.
Seconds later he was at it again, as he left three players in his wake before sliding a through-ball for Agyemang, who pulled it back but Routledge was unable to get on the end of it as the ball drifted across the six-yard box.
At the other end, Taylor-Fletcher was inches away from connecting with Eardley's inviting cross but, fortunately for the R's, the Pool striker was unable to get that decisive touch late in the first half.
Harford made one change at the break, bringing Hogan Ephraim on for Buzsaky.
And just four minutes into the second half Taarabt went as close as you possibly can go without scoring. After typical trickery, he worked spme space on the edge of area before his low shot hit the inside of the post, rolled across the goal-line and hit the OTHER post before being hacked to safety!
On 54 minutes, the R's did draw level courtesy of a Taarabt penalty - which was typically stylish! The spot-kick was won when Routledge played the ball back for Ephraim to shoot from distance, and his effort was adjudged to have hit the hand of Ardley by referee Mr Kettle.
With Buzsaky no longer on the pitch, Taarabt took responsibility from 12 yards - and casually dinked the ball in as Rachubka dived to his right.
The 459 R's fans who had made the long trip north were ecstatic and in full voice, urging Harford's men on.
It certainly made for an exciting match as both sides refused to settle for the draw, instead pushing for all three points.
Ephraim seemed to be at the centre of everything the R's did in the final third, and in the 66th minute he shot just wide following a great cross-field ball by Routledge.
But it was Blackpool who grabbed their second of the game on 76 minutes when Southern's drive from outside the area was flicked beyond the helpless Ikeme by Taylor-Fletcher from four yards after more good work initially in the move by Ormerod.
Harford made two substitutions in quick succession as he looked to get Rangers back into this game with Peter Ramage and Antonio German replacing Hall and Faurlin respectively.
Taarabt was moved into the centre of the park, with German joining Agyemang in attack.
And it was an absolutely sensational strike by Connolly seconds later which drew gasps from the Bloomfield Road crowd as the R's were level once again.
With German tussling for possession 18 yards out, the ball came out towards Connolly, who didn't let the ball bounce as he teed himself up for a stunning volley from 25 yards which looped over Rachubka.
Once again, Blackpool fans were a real credit as they acknowledged the unbelievable effort from the QPR left back with applause.
With just six minutes remaining, both sides continued to battle for all three points, but in the end, had to settle for the draw.
Harford will take great pride from this performance as his men came from behind twice against a spirited and determined Blackpool side.
Blackpool: Rachubka, Crainey, Southern, Eardley, Evatt, Ormerod, Vaughan (Euell, 89), Taylor-Fletcher (Nardiello, 89), Baptiste, Adam, Bannan (Burgess, 62)
Subs: Martin, Euell, Gilks, Nardiello, Edwards, Butler.
Bookings: Adam (39)
Goals: Adam (9), Taylor-Fletcher (76)
QPR: Ikeme, Stewart, Hall (Ramage, 77), Leigertwood, Routledge, Buzsaky (Ephraim, 46), Agyemang, Gorkss, Connolly, Faurlin (German 80), Taarabt.
Subs: Cerny, Balanta, Simpson, Borrowdale.
Bookings: Routledge (90)
Goals: Taarabt (pen, 64), Connolly (84)
Referee: Mr T Kettle
Attendance: 7,600 (Away: 459)
www.qpr.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10373~48127,00.html
QPR Official Site
HARFORD PRAISES R'S
Posted on: Sat 16 Jan 2010
Mick Harford took great pride from the performance of his players in their 2-2 draw with Blackpool at Bloomfield Road this afternoon.
An Adel Taarabt penalty and a sensational Matt Connolly volley saw the R's come back from behind twice to grab a share of the spoils.
"The performance of the players was excellent, particularly in the second half," Harford told www.qpr.co.uk
Taarabt capped a fine individual performance with a goal from the penalty spot just after the hour mark. The Moroccan scored with typical style, coolly chipping the ball into the net.
"Adel was outstanding," Harford added. "He is a very talented player. I didn't know what he was going to do with the penalty but credit to him for having the confidence to score it in the way that he did."
But it was Connolly who stole the plaudits with his first goal in QPR colours.
"It was a wonderful strike," Harford added. "I saw it - but I have to admit I didn't see that coming from him!"
Harford also reserved special praise for the R's fans who made the long trip north. "They are a brilliant set of supporters.
"When I saw where they were located in the stadium I was hoping it wouldn't rain! Their backing is so important ."
Hogan Ephraim came on at half-time and was hugely influential in QPR's improved second-half display.
"I know Hogan well from my time at Colchester, as well as my previous spell here, and I know what he is capable of. He gave us an extra edge, and I'm happy with what he did for us out there.
"Now we need to build on this and let our confidence grow."
www.qpr.co.uk/page/TheGaffer/0,,10373~1934784,00.html
Blackpool Official Site
A stunning 84th minute strike from Matthew Connolly meant that Blackpool were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw against Queens Park Rangers at Bloomfield Road.
Goals from Charlie Adam and Gary Taylor-Fletcher either side of an Adel Taraabt penalty looked to have sealed all three points for the Seasiders - but Connolly's effort with six minutes remaining rescued a point for the visitors.
Ian Holloway made three changes to the starting line-up for the game against the R's as Ian Evatt, Stephen Crainey and Barry Bannan all returned at the expenses of Andy Butler, Joe Martin and Ben Burgess.
It was Barry Bannan who was the first player to try for goal after six minutes but his effort landed straight in the arms of QPR goalkeeper Carl Ikeme. It was a positive start from the Seasiders, with Brett Ormerod coming within inches of heading Blackpool into the lead a minute later.
The early dominance finally told however after nine minutes when CHARLIE ADAM ghosted in unmarked at the back post to finish off a great ball by Brett Ormerod (9).
BLACKPOOL 1 QPR 0
The Seasiders were now rampant and pushed forward for a second in quick succession, Gary Taylor-Fletcher's ball teeing up Brett Ormerod who fired narrowly wide.
The tempo of the game dropped somewhat for the next 15 minutes or so as chances were few and far between. The visitors started to threaten a little but were thwarted on a number of occasions by the linesman's flag.
QPR's best chance fell to Adel Taraabt on the half-hour mark, twisting and turning like a slalom skier, he unleashed a ferocious drive straight across goal. The football from Mick Harford's side was good in spells but lacked any end product.
Gary Taylor-Fletcher came so close to nodding Pool a second prior to half-time but he just couldn't reach Neal Eardley's dipping cross.
HALF-TIME SCORE - BLACKPOOL 1 QPR 0
The visitors opted for a change to start the second-half and introduced Hogan Ephraim for Akos Buzsaky.
At heart in mouth moment shortly followed the change for QPR as that man again Adel Taraabt performed a couple of step-overs before seeing his strike hit both posts and come back out. Charlie Adam then blasted a strike just past the post at the other end.
QPR were then given an opportunity to level matters when Hogan Ephraim's strike was adjudged to have struck the hand of Neal Eardley in the area. Adel Taraabt stepped up and cheekily chipped the ball into the top right corner (55).
BLACKPOOL 1 QPR 1
Ian Holloway's response to the equaliser was to throw Ben Burgess on in place of Barry Bannan on the hour. The change meant that Brett Ormerod would now operate on the right of an attacking three and Gary Taylor-Fletcher the left.
Some great defending from Alex Baptiste prevented Patrick Agyemang from putting the visitors ahead three minutes later, the defender just managed to knock the ball away and over the crossbar.
The game was now becoming stretched as both sides pressed for a winner - and it was the Seasiders who looked to have got it. A clearing defensive header from Kaspars Gorkss fell to Keith Southern on the edge of the area and the midfielder's effort got the deftest of touches from GARY TAYLOR-FLETCHER to restore Blackpool's lead (78).
BLACKPOOL 2 QPR 1
The goal looked odds-on to be the winner for the Seasiders but six minutes later a dipping effort from the edge of the area by Matthew Connolly brought QPR back on level terms.
BLACKPOOL 2 QPR 2
Ian Holloway once again opted to change things after the second equaliser and threw on Jason Euell and Daniel Nardiello in the places of David Vaughan and Gary Taylor-Fletcher.
A late surge couldn't find a winner though as the Seasiders were forced to settle for a point.
FINAL SCORE - BLACKPOOL 2 QPR 2
Attendance: 7,600 (459 away)
www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10432~48127,00.html
Read more: qprreport.proboards.com/thread/9750/flashback-years-today-mick-harfords#ixzz6BDLpZR5i
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